Sen. Tammy Baldwin re-introduced the Go Pack Go Act on Sept. 6, which, if passed, would ensure Wisconsinites in out-of-state TV networks are able to watch every Green Bay Packers football game.
Most Wisconsinites watch football on in-state TV networks that broadcast every Packers game in a given football season. However, there are thirteen counties in northern Wisconsin that are assigned to out-of-state networks in either Michigan or Minnesota
This means the nearly 415,000 people living in Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Sawyer, Burnett, Washburn, Polk, Barron, St. Croix, Dunn, Pierce and Florence counties may be unable to watch a Packers game if the Minnesota Vikings or Detroit Lions play at the same time.
Baldwin’s bill would require cable and satellite providers to offer all Wisconsin subscribers the same programming options as Wisconsin-based broadcast stations, including Packers games, state news and other sports information.
“Every Packers fan across our state should be able to watch Packers games,” Baldwin said in a press release. “My Go Pack Go Act would give Packers fans in every Wisconsin county the opportunity to watch Packers games and cheer on our beloved green and gold.”
Baldwin introduced similar legislation in 2018 and 2019, but according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, those bills gained little traction in Congress. Her 2022 bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation this month but has yet to attract any cosponsors.
